Place programme: Egremont

This scheme will see the derelict former Red Lion site transformed into a community space at the heart of the town. Modern frontage buildings will allow visibility into the space behind whilst retaining active frontages (ones that encourage pedestrians and social interaction, minimising blank walls and having visible uses).

A new public space will be available for formal and informal events and activities. The vacant building to the rear of the site will be redeveloped to create a community building with creative studios/workspaces on the upper floor, available to rent.

This investment will bring footfall, activity and pride back into the centre of Egremont, by: 

• providing a fully accessible space focussed on community and wellbeing at the heart of Egremont
• supporting local creatives and small businesses through the provision of four studio/workshop spaces
• creating a new public space and buildings for activities and interest for all ages plus spaces for people to gather and socialise
• providing new cafe to encourage longer stays whilst offering a new business opportunity
• positively reusing a derelict building which currently has a negative visual impact on its surroundings
• improving the town centre offer by encouraging more visits and providing more reasons to stay longer

Public consultation boards

The design

The contemporary design of the new frontage buildings is very different for Egremont, but they have been carefully crafted to comply with both planning and conservation area requirements. Key to the design:

• the colonnades have historic precedent in Egremont (there were timber colonnades on Market Place in the 18th and 19th centuries) and also reflect the arched wall entrance which was the favoured option from feedback gathered in December 2024
• the site frontage is open and allows views into the space behind, this was a request from our early consultation. A site that can be seen into can also deter antisocial behaviour. Neither could be achieved with a replica traditional building
• the design retains the view of St Mary’s Church from Main Street, many people told us they wanted to keep this
• the buildings needed to ‘face’ both Main Street and the space to the rear, the design achieves this
• as the previous buildings formed a continuous terrace, we were asked for a design which had ‘built form’ to the front of the site

Building uses

Planning requirements mean we must have ‘active frontages’ at the site. This means frontages that encourage pedestrian activity and social interaction, minimising blank walls and having visible internal uses that invite people in. The design does this, whilst keeping the new units relatively modest. 

During the consultation, we asked how people would like to use the space. The top three answers were to:

• attend events (58%)
• relax and socialise (38%)
• buy food and drink and use play/gym equipment (30% for each of these)

Providing a café responds to this feedback. Cafes also attract visitors and increase footfall.

The community building

Redevelopment of the vacant building will not only improve the site but will also create new studio spaces on the upper floor (available to rent) and a larger community room on the ground floor. The activities on offer will be determined by the groups renting the space - but it is designed to be suitable for a range of activities including: 

• workshops
• social gatherings
• creative and activity classes
• talks and film shows

New public space

The new public space has two distinct areas with different characters. Towards the front, adjacent to the frontage buildings, a more civic, open area allows the cafe to spill out and provides space for temporary events or performances. It is bookended by planted beds and trees either side. To the rear, adjacent to the community building, a richly interactive play garden provides additional seating, planting, trees and informal play.

People have raised concerns regarding the likelihood of anti-social behaviour on the site. We hope that by welcoming everyone to the site we can avoid this, but we have also followed ‘safe by design’ principles. The openness of the site and the activity in the buildings mean the site will always be visible by users or people nearby.

The space will also be lit at night.